To determine the safety and tolerance of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. To determine the effects of IL-4 on tumor growth in patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.

IL-4 exhibits a variety of beneficial effects on the immune system and is a potent inhibitor of Kaposi's sarcoma cells in vitro.

Further study details as provided by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID):

Estimated Enrollment:

48

Study Completion Date:

April 1998

Detailed Description:

IL-4 exhibits a variety of beneficial effects on the immune system and is a potent inhibitor of Kaposi's sarcoma cells in vitro.

Patients are stratified into two groups according to CD4 count (less than 100 cells/mm3 and greater than or equal to 100 cells/mm3) and are enrolled in cohorts of four patients at each of four dose levels of IL-4 per stratum. Within each stratum, if patients at a given dose level have received at least 2 weeks of study therapy and no more than two patients experienced grade 3 or 4 drug-related toxicity, dose escalation in subsequent patients may begin. The MTD is defined as the dose at which 50 percent of patients develop grade 3 or worse toxicity. Patients with CD4 count less than 500 cells/mm3 (per 12/30/94 amendment) must be on antiretroviral therapy during study treatment.

PER AMENDMENT 11/20/95: Group I - enrollment is closed, the objective has been defined. Group II - patients must have CD4 cells greater than or equal to 100/mm3 and less than 500/mm3.

PER AMENDMENT 11/20/95: All patients will receive antiretroviral therapy.

Stable dose of antiretroviral therapy required for at least 21 days prior to study entry for all patients. (Changed from - Stable dose of antiretroviral therapy for at least 21 days prior to study entry in patients with CD4 count < 500 cells/mm3 (per 12/30/94 amendment).

Myelosuppressive agents such as induction doses of ganciclovir, Fansidar (pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine), or any other investigational drugs (with the exception of non-myelosuppressive treatment IND medications in specific patients).

GM-CSF or erythropoietin (except for a second grade 3/4 neutropenia or anemia).

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00000769